San Francisco bans credit-only stores at AP. “(Supervisor Vallie) Brown said she thought it unfair that someone couldn’t buy a sandwich just because they had cash. She said young people, victims of ID theft, immigrants and homeless people are among those who don’t have bank accounts or credit cards.”Read more

Disney announces 3 new ‘Star Wars’ films & Avatar release dates at NY Post. “…three more “Star Wars” films will hit theaters every other year starting in 2022…“Avatar 2” will hit theaters the weekend before Christmas 2021, and the three follow-ups will be released every other year at that same time.”Read more

Surprise Amazon Go Store Opening Causes New Yorkers to Do What They Do Best: Line Up by Jeff John Roberts at Fortune. “By noon, the crowd was dozens deep as people clamored to enter the store 1300 square foot store, which proclaims “No Lines, No Checkout.”Pics/Read more

Groupon announces Craig Rowley as Chief Marketing Officer – joins from REI where he served as VP of MarketingPress release

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Belk names new creative agency-of-record by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “…announced the appointment of McGarryBowen as its creative agency-of-record…first time Belk has worked with an outside agency on a major branding initiative in nearly a decade…Belk is planning to refresh its current brand positioning of “modern southern style.”Tiered subs.

Canada: The arrival of discount grocer FreshCo could start a “blood bath” in the Lower Mainland grocery wars by Evan Duggan at Vancouver Sun. “The grocer, which launched in 2010 and has 92 locations in Ontario, says it plans to open another 11 locations in Western Canada this year…”Read more

Prices for Mexican tomatoes expected to increase 40% to 85% with new tariff by Kelly Tyko at USA Today.Read more

Sears expands DieHard brand to lawn and garden tools by Yan Zhang at USA Today. “The new DieHard products, including trimmers, blowers and chain saws, are expected to become available at retail beginning in fall of 2019.”Read more

Meet the new startups in Target’s accelerator programs at A Bullseye View.Read more

Best Buy will add eight new stores in Mexico this year, bringing the total number to 42 at Mexico News Daily. “Five of the new stores will open in five cities that will be new for the retailer, which will extend its presence to 15 states. The goal of reaching all 32 states, Silva said, is still a distant one.”Read more

White House requires Big Pharma to list drug prices on TV ads as soon as this summer at CNBC. “…will apply to drugs that cost more than $35 for a month’s supply, the administration said.”Read more

Lost wedding ring found after snowbank melts at Hannaford at WMTW 8 ABC. “McDougall has a near-perfect record of finding lost rings. “Walking the snowbanks, I did all of them three times, and this particular store in Brewer, I think I did it probably 10 times,” he said.”Video/Read more

Jeff Bezos mixes with stars on the red carpet at the Met Gala at Daily Mail.Pics/Read more